Mike Reilly is going through his fair share of struggles in his first season as a starting quarterback in the CFL.

But a 64.8 passer-efficiency rating in his first four games with the Edmonton Eskimos would probably be a lot harder to take if he wasn't in such good company.

After all, it's got to be somewhat encouraging to see 20-year CFL veteran Anthony Calvillo going through struggles of his own, sitting just two spots ahead with a rating of 75.5.

“They're going through changes, they have a whole new coaching staff who is coming from the States,” Reilly said. “They're going through a transitional period, much like we are. But the thing about those types of teams is that once you get over that hump and once everything meshes together, you're going to be a difficult team to stop.

“So it's just a matter of when that time comes, and for us, I think we're very close. And with them, they may be very close as well.”

But it's the proximity between Reilly and Calvillo on the stats sheet that stands out this season, especially considering one is a fresh-faced starter and the other is professional football's most prolific passer of all time.

“I wouldn't say it's nice to see, but it just goes to show how difficult this game is and how big of a role continuity plays, not only in your roster but also in your coaching staff,” Reilly said. “If you have the right pieces in place and your front office knows that and has the little bit of patience that is needed, then you can go a long way.

“But it is difficult because each year is a new year and you don't want to sit there and wonder how many week's it's going to take before it all comes together.”

The Alouettes looked like they were at that point last week, after taking a 24-0 lead over the Calgary Stampeders in the first quarter, only to lose in the biggest comeback effort in CFL history.

Not that the Eskimos are finding too much comfort in that.

“Any time that Calvillo's the quarterback — I don't care what you say about they're changing up things offensively, or this and that — the guy still has more passing yards than anybody in the history of football and knows how to win football games,” Reilly said. “We have to take advantage of our opportunities, we have to get up early on the scoreboard and make it difficult for their offence and really control the game.”

Much like Calvillo has done over Montreal's current six-game winning streak against Edmonton. While he started all six of those games, Reilly will be Edmonton's fourth different starter in last four, following up Ricky Ray, Steven Jyles and Kerry Joseph.

Mike Reilly is going through his fair share of struggles in his first season as a starting quarterback in the CFL.

But a 64.8 passer-efficiency rating in his first four games with the Edmonton Eskimos would probably be a lot harder to take if he wasn't in such good company.

After all, it's got to be somewhat encouraging to see 20-year CFL veteran Anthony Calvillo going through struggles of his own, sitting just two spots ahead with a rating of 75.5.

“They're going through changes, they have a whole new coaching staff who is coming from the States,” Reilly said. “They're going through a transitional period, much like we are. But the thing about those types of teams is that once you get over that hump and once everything meshes together, you're going to be a difficult team to stop.

“So it's just a matter of when that time comes, and for us, I think we're very close. And with them, they may be very close as well.”